JMU preseason notebook: Day 7

HARRISONBURG – Alex Mosley’s first day in pads was impressive.

His second day, nothing to write home about.

That’s the life of true freshmen, James Madison coach Mickey Matthews said.

“Tuesday, he had a great day,” Matthews said of Mosley, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound defensive tackle from Highland Springs. “I walked off the practice field Tuesday, I thought he’d be playing for us this year. That’s how good he was. He whipped some older kids. Let’s say, the next day, he didn’t quite look that good. He’s a freshman.”

Still, Mosley is in a small group of freshmen who could see playing time this season, though Matthews always prefers to redshirt players to give them a year to mature physically and emotionally.

“It’s totally different than high school,” Mosley said Monday after practice at Bridgeforth Stadium. “Guys are bigger and stronger and faster, but I’m coming along good. It’s way tougher on your body.”

Only six of the players on JMU’s current roster played as true freshmen – defensive end Adrian Cavanaugh, defensive tackle Sean O’Neill, linebacker Jamie Veney, cornerback Leavander Jones, safety Jakarie Jackson and tight end Jonathan Sharp.

Freshman defensive end Sage Harold spent the past year prepping at Fork Union Military Academy and could work his way into the mix, though if redshirt freshmen Brandon Lee and Josh Hogan play well this preseason, that might not be necessary.

Center Andrew Baumgarner has been impressive so far, but playing on the offensive line as a true freshmen is very rare. And JMU has added a pair of transfers in left tackle A.J. Scott and guard Austin Lane who should make the front deep enough to not need to press a rookie into service.

One spot where the Dukes might need some help from its freshmen is at wide receiver. The move of Dae’Quan Scott to running back certainly weakened that unit, but both DeAndre Smith and Amir Waller have had strong camps.

Waller in particular has made a number of eye-opening catches, often against tight defensive coverage.

“I think I’m aggressive,” the 6-foot, 175-pound Waller said after Tuesday’s practice. “I like to go up and get the ball. If you put the ball up, I’m going to go get it.”

Rankings released: The Sports Network released its Division I-AA preseason Top 25. JMU was ranked 15. The Colonial Athletic Association had seven teams in the poll, led by No. 3 William & Mary. Delaware was fifth, New Hampshire 10^th, Villanova 14^th, Richmond 16^th and Massachusetts 25^th. Defending champion Eastern Washington opened at No. 1.

Catch of the day: You guessed it. Freshman Amir Waller made a diving catch on a deep fly up the sideline thrown by Justin Thorpe. That’s his third “Catch of the Day” in seven preseason practices.

Quote of the day: As most of his teammates jogged over to the violent one-on-one drills Monday, quarterback Justin Thorpe smiled and skipped toward the sideline.

“One-on-one with Gatorade. One-on-one, Powerade. One-on-one, sit in the shade. One-on-one, I might have it made,” he happily chirped.